Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to a fiber construct suitable for use as a fill material for insulation or padding, comprising: a primary fiber structure comprising a predetermined length of fiber; a secondary fiber structure, the secondary fiber structure comprising a plurality of relatively short loops spaced along a length of the primary fiber. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to insulative fiber structures that mimic the structure and scale of natural down and thereby provide similar properties.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to a fiber construct suitable for use as a fill material for insulation or padding, comprising: a primary fiber structure comprising a predetermined length of fiber; a secondary fiber structure, the secondary fiber structure comprising a plurality of relatively short loops spaced along a length of the primary fiber. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to insulative fiber structures that mimic the structure and scale of natural down and thereby provide similar properties.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to a fiber construct suitable for use as a fill material for insulation or padding, comprising: a primary fiber structure comprising a predetermined length of fiber; a secondary fiber structure, the secondary fiber structure comprising a plurality of relatively short loops spaced along a length of the primary fiber.

Abstract: A contact lens with a central portion, an iris portion, and a peripheral portion disposed about the iris portion; wherein the iris portion contains an arcuate colored or tinted portion that provides a shadow effect; the peripheral portion can be colored white and can have a pattern that graduates to transparent towards the outer diameter of the lens.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reducing power consumption and digital logic noise in a time division multiplexed memory switch. The method is embodied in an egress selection switch (ESS) block architecture. The ESS block includes a data disable block which prevents the propagation of data, in particular ingress grains, to a given group of egress ports if the data is not selected by any of the egress ports in a given group. While the ingress data disable method partitions ports into groups and saves power by disabling the fanout tree from the root on a port group basis, the egress data disable method saves power on a port group basis by disabling the fanout tree from the tail end in addition to applying the ingress data disable method. The ESS block also includes an grain select block for selecting and storing a given ingress grain for eventual output to an egress port.

Abstract: A contact lens with a central portion, an iris portion, and a peripheral portion disposed about the iris portion; wherein the iris portion contains an arcuate colored or tinted portion that provides a shadow effect; the peripheral portion can be colored white and can have a pattern that graduates to transparent towards the outer diameter of the lens.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reducing power consumption and digital logic noise in a time division multiplexed memory switch. The method is embodied in an egress selection switch (ESS) block architecture. The ESS block includes a data disable block which prevents the propagation of data, in particular ingress grains, to a given group of egress ports if the data is not selected by any of the egress ports in a given group. While the ingress data disable method partitions ports into groups and saves power by disabling the fanout tree from the root on a port group basis, the egress data disable method saves power on a port group basis by disabling the fanout tree from the tail end in addition to applying the ingress data disable method. The ESS block also includes an grain select block for selecting and storing a given ingress grain for eventual output to an egress port.

Abstract: A method of adding a new connection (c, d) to a time:space:time switch fabric. The fabric has a set I of k input elements, a set M of m switch elements, and a set O of l output elements. Each input element contributes one input to each switch element, and each output element receives one output from each switch element. A state Sm characterizes the switch elements as a set of ordered pairs (i, j), where (i, j) ? Sm if and only if the jth output element is coupled to the ith input element through one of the switch elements. The range of Sm is the set of outputs of Sm such that if j ? range(Sm) then (i, j) ? Sm for some i ? I. The domain of Sm is the set of inputs of Sm such that if i ? domain(Sm) then (i, j) ? Sm for some j ? O.

Abstract: A time:space:time switch fabric incorporating an odd integer number of spatially distributed data switches and a plurality of spatially distributed data serializers. Each data switch has a first plurality of ingress ports, an equal plurality of egress ports, and a space switch for selectably interconnecting any one of the ingress ports to any one of the egress ports. Each data serializer has an input bus for receiving signals to be routed through the switch fabric, an output bus for outputting signals routed through the switch fabric, a plurality of egress ports selectably connectible to any one of the data switch ingress ports, and an equal plurality of ingress ports selectably connectible to any one of the data switch egress ports.

Abstract: A time:space:time switch fabric incorporating an odd integer number of spatially distributed data switches and a plurality of spatially distributed data serializers. Each data switch has a first plurality of ingress ports, an equal plurality of egress ports, and a space switch for selectably interconnecting any one of the ingress ports to any one of the egress ports. Each data serializer has an input bus for receiving signals to be routed through the switch fabric, an output bus for outputting signals routed through the switch fabric, a plurality of egress ports selectably connectible to any one of the data switch ingress ports, and an equal plurality of ingress ports selectably connectible to any one of the data switch egress ports.

Abstract: A method of adding a new connection (c, d) to a time:space:time switch fabric. The fabric has a set I of k input elements, a set M of m switch elements, and a set O of l output elements. Each input element contributes one input to each switch element, and each output element receives one output from each switch element. A state Sm characterizes the switch elements as a set of ordered pairs (i, j), where (i, j) &egr; Sm if and only if the jth output element is coupled to the ith input element through one of the switch elements. The range of Sm is the set of outputs of Sm such that if j &egr; range(Sm) then (i, j) &egr; Sm for some i &egr;I. The domain of Sm is the set of inputs of Sm such that if i &egr; domain(Sm) then (i, j) &egr; Sm for some j &egr; O. If a switch state Sm exists where c ∉ domain(Sm) and d ∉ range(Sm), then the new connection is added to Sm as (c, d).